Tina Lewis Rowe – Ask the Workplace Doctors

Is it Sexual Harassment for a Co-Worker To Be in Relationship With a Family Member of Mine?

February 9, 2020February 9, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
A coworker of mine had a sexual relationship with a family member of mine. Is that considered sexual harassment?

Response: I can understand that such a situation as you describe could be uncomfortable at work, especially if the coworker and your family member have broken up or if there were bad feelings between them at some point. It would also be uncomfortable if some aspect of the situation was problematic—for example, if one or both of the people were already married to someone else.

Co-Worker Plays Music and Managers Haven’t Helped!

February 9, 2020February 9, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
I have a co-worker who has been in our office six months. I have been there ten years. She plays her music right next to my cubicle and I’ve told her many times I can’t concentrate with her music on. But she doesn’t care. I’ve gone to my managers and all they say is well we can hear you when you talk or laugh way back here. Nothing is done about the radio or the disrespect this girl shows towards me. I’m at a loss. Is there a law about this anywhere? I am a federal employee so I’m not sure if the laws are different.

Co-Worker Is Obsessed With Her Dislike of Me!

February 1, 2020February 9, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
I’ve worked for my company for about 1 year now. I was promoted 2 months after I started. My old boss is now my colleague as we share the same boss. I was promoted to a trainer position on her shift. Any new employees that comes in, I am responsible for their training and development.

The first day of my new position she came up with the idea that I was trying to take her job. She is known for being extremely rude and unbearable. Plenty of people quit because they couldn’t deal with her behavior. She has loud outbursts on the production floor, she yells at people and cries at the drop of a dime. I’ve always been cordial to her and tried to help her as much as possible.

Falsely Accused of Creating a Hostile Work Environment.

February 1, 2020February 9, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question: I was recently terminated from my place of employment of four years on the accusation of hostile work environment. I was disqualified from unemployment benefits because of this. I have always treated my team with respect. given them praises on their work and given them incentives along with Christmas bonus. I believe this accusation arose because of my belief in maintaining and keeping a professional relationship with the team. I don’t engage in joking or becoming too chummy. When you try to correct them they feel that you are intimidating them. What should I do?

Feel Like I’m Being Stalked By a Customer

January 15, 2020February 9, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question: I am a general manager at a coffee shop. A customer has been coming in a couple of years who is a college or graduate studies girl. She has been really pushy lately with wanting me to hang out with her. About a year ago, I sat down with her on my lunch break at the shop just twice to talk to her because she was nice and enjoyable to talk to. These are the ONLY times outside my work schedule that I took time out of my busy schedule to hang out with her.

How Can I End a Relationship With My Boss But Still Work Well With Him?

December 20, 2019February 9, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question: My Boss and I started dating this year for about 9 months. As normal or should I say as expected, some of the feelings are going away. I feel hurt because some of the things he normally does, he stopped. Calls, special attention, stealing kisses.. especially the morning calls and show of affection. It sometimes makes me brood at work as well. I forgot to add he is married. The last months have been so wonderful, too good to be true even though I know it was just for a matter of time. These days, I feel and know it’s coming to an end.

Isn’t it Better to Fire Someone Than to Make Them Want to Quit?

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 Tina Lewis Rowe

Your question:

I am a 35 year old tech specialist who works at a firm in Cleveland. I’ve been with this company for 3 years. We have three main service lines: Management consulting, technology, and out-sourcing. The scope and objectives of my projects vary greatly, but in general I work on finance strategy assignments. Our work environment is overall good. This is in part due to the average tenure of any employee being 5 years, which translates to a zone of comfort in the office.

Should I Take Legal Action Against the Doctor With Whom I Had an Affair?

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question: I am a nurse, married and had a romantic/sexual relationship with a married doctor for 4 years, until I was on medical leave for a year and only saw him couple of times. I also almost cut off my phone contact with him. I came back to work and he told me he is seeing another nurse because he got lonely.

What About Just A Hook-Up With My Boss?

November 19, 2019November 19, 2019 Tina Lewis Rowe

A question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about sex with the boss.

Question: I really like my boss, but I just want a hook up. No dating, no relationship, no commitments, nothing like that.

Answer: We’re a site about workplace communication issues, rather than an advice column about romance and/or sexual activity. However, you may benefit from a reasonable and practical response to your question.

Should I Quit My Job, Since My Manager Doesn’t Support Me Against an Insulting Employee?

September 9, 2019October 3, 2019 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question: I’m a 29 y/o female who works in a male dominated field as a highly-trained industrial worker. I used to work the day shift, but a year ago I switched to working nights due to how I was being treated by the lead hand at the time.

A couple days ago this same lead hand reeked of alcohol (not the first time I’ve smelled it on him), and when I had to ask a work related question in front of both my supervisor and him, he immediately told me, “Shut the fuck up.” My supervisor began laughing, and so did the lead hand.